Episode 9: Unveiling Radiation's Hidden Dangers with Mary Olson

The DNA of Things with Dr. Jeremy Koenig

In this episode of "The DNA of Things," Dr. Jeremy Koenig interviews Mary Olson, a dedicated advocate and researcher specializing in the disproportionate impact of ionizing radiation on women and children. Olson shares her journey into radiation research, which began with a personal radiation exposure incident early in her career. This experience fueled her commitment to public health advocacy and legislative efforts against the deregulation of radioactive waste. Throughout the episode, Olson explains the primary effects of radiation on DNA, emphasizing how radiation breaks DNA strands, leading to cancer, infertility, and birth defects. The conversation highlights significant findings from studies on survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, revealing that women and children are particularly vulnerable to radiation-induced cancers. Olson also discusses gender-specific research, noting that men are more prone to cardiovascular issues from chronic radiation exposure. Additionally, the episode touches on the ethical implications of using historical radiation data and underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research in genetics, biology, and public health. This compelling discussion illuminates the intersection of radiation safety, genetics, and global health policies, advocating for more informed and gender-specific health guidelines.
Episode Highlights:

• Radiation and DNA Damage: Olson explains that ionizing radiation primarily impacts DNA by causing breaks in DNA strands, which can result in cancer, infertility, and birth defects.
• Higher Susceptibility in Women and Children: Research shows that women and children are more vulnerable to radiation-induced cancers compared to men, particularly those exposed to radiation at a young age.
• Cardiovascular vs. Cancer Risks: Chronic radiation exposure tends to cause more cardiovascular issues in men, while women are more likely to develop cancer.
• Personal and Professional Motivation: Olson's advocacy and research were motivated by a personal radiation exposure incident and her desire to improve radiation safety standards.
• Ethical Considerations: The episode discusses the moral complexities of using data from the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, balancing the ethical implications with the value of this data for understanding radiation effects.
• Interdisciplinary and Gender-Specific Research: The conversation emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary research and gender-specific studies to develop accurate safety standards and health guidelines for radiation exposure.

Thanks to Mary Olson for joining the podcast and sharing valuable insights. A correction from Mary is noted here regarding radiation effects—it disproportionately impacts females more than males in terms of cardiovascular issues. Please see references provided by Mary below:
M. Gillies, D. B. Richardson, E. Cardis, R. D. Daniels, J. A. O’Hagan, R. Haylock, D. Laurier, K. Leuraud, M.Moissonnier, M. K. Schubauer-Berigan, I. Thierry-Chef, and A. Kesminiene, ‘Mortality from circulatory diseases and other non-cancer outcomes among nuclear workers in France, the United Kingdom and the United States
(INWORKS)’, Radiation Research, Vol. 188 (2017), 276–90.
54 M. P. Little, T. V. Azizova, D. B. Richardson, S. Tapio, M.-O, Bernier, M. Kreuzer, F. A. Cucinotta, D. Bazyka, V.
Chumak, V. K. Ivanov, L. H. S. Veiga, A. Livinski, K. Abalo, L. B. Zablotska, A. J. Einstein, and N. Hamada, ‘Ionising
radiation and cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, British Medical Journal, Vol. 380
(2023), e072924, at: https://bit.ly/48ceBiG.

LINKS:

LINKS:
https://www.drjeremykoenig.com/
https://www.instagram.com/drjeremykoenig/
https://www.youtube.com/@drjeremykoenig